Wednesday 14th January
Read Matthew 4:1-4
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ 4 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ (NIVUK)
The way Jesus responds to the slanderer both indicates why He is in the wilderness and how we should approach temptation. Matthew invites us to compare Jesus’ circumstances and response with those of the generation that left Egypt and passed through the waters.
“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-6) (NIVUK)
Walking in the footsteps of Israel, drawing on the words of Moses, the importance of humility, trust and reverence in responding to the circumstances God places you in helps us learn obedience.
The pride in our heart impels us to claim what we believe is due to us. Jesus trusted where we so often don’t. The early church placed their trust in just this truth…
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10) (NIVUK)
